“Russia will execute the statement of its President related to any United States aggression against Syria, knocking down American missiles and striking at the sources of fire”, local television channel Al Manar cited him.

Though there is no authorization for use of military force against the Syrian government, President Trump has promised a “big price to pay” for the latest alleged attack and observers are watching to see whether he could launch more strikes.

WASHINGTON, D.C.: The US maintained the threat of missile strikes on Wednesday in response to alleged chemical attacks in Syria, despite the risk of triggering a head-on clash with Damascus ally Russian Federation.

Trump also spoke by phone with British Prime Minister Theresa May.

U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley told the Security Council that adopting the U.S. -drafted resolution was the least that member nations could do.

But his remarks could raise fears of direct conflict for the first time between major powers backing opposing sides in Syria’s protracted civil war.

The Syrian government and Russian Federation say the reports of a poison gas assault on the Syrian town of Douma are bogus.

A joint military operation, possibly with France rather than the U.S. in the lead, could send a message of worldwide unity about enforcing the prohibitions on chemical weapons and counter Syria’s political and military support from Russian Federation and Iran. “Stop the arms race?” he wrote.

“We don’t want bombardment which leads to escalation and a hot war between the USA and Russian Federation over the skies of Syria”.

But his last missile strikes on Syria apparently did not deter Assad, and it’s unclear how much Trump will be able to back up his bluster.

A senior Russian lawmaker says President Donald Trump’s tweet warning of an imminent missile strike on Syria reflects a dangerously light-minded approach to a critical situation. It “should always be given a say on any military action”, Corbyn said. Then, striking a more conciliatory tone, he said: “There is no reason for this”.

“The US-led Western coalition has not given up its designs on carrying out a Libyan or Iraqi scenario against Damascus”, the head of a Russian parliamentary committee on foreign affairs, Leonid Slutsky, said in comments carried by state news agency TASS.

Nearly exactly a year ago, the US launched 59 Tomahawk cruise missiles at a Syrian government airbase in retaliation for another chemical weapons attack.

Families were reportedly found suffocated in their homes and shelters, with foam on their mouths.

After a tense meeting with his generals, it was reported – though not publicly articulated – that USA troops, around 2,000, would remain in Syria for maybe six months.

World Health Organization is now coordinating a healthcare response for the thousands of people who have been evacuated from East Ghouta and taken to Damascus and elsewhere, after rebels who were holding out against Syrian-led forces at Douma finally surrendered.